Scalar Mesons in a Relativistic Quark Model with Instanton-Induced Forces

In a relativistic quark model with linear confinement and an instanton-induced interaction which solves the $\eta$-$\eta'$ puzzle, scalar mesons are found as almost pure SU(3) flavor states. This suggests a new interpretation of the scalar nonet: We propose that the recently discovered $f_0(1500)$ is not a glueball but the scalar (mainly)--octet meson for which the $K\bar{K}$ decay mode is suppressed. The mainly--singlet state is tentatively identified with the $f_0(980)$. The isovector and isodoublet states correspond to the $a_0(1450)$ and $K^{\ast}(1430)$, respectively.